Upgrading Fedora Silverblue to Version 44: A Step-by-Step Guide

Preparing Your System for the Upgrade

Before you begin the rebase process to Fedora Linux 44 on your Silverblue system, it’s crucial to ensure your current installation is fully up to date. This minimizes the risk of conflicts during the upgrade. Open a terminal and run:

$ rpm-ostree update

Alternatively, you can apply updates through GNOME Software and then reboot your machine. Remember that rpm-ostree is the underlying atomic technology used by all Fedora Atomic Desktops, so these instructions apply to other variants (like Kinoite or Sericea) with minor adjustments.

Rebasing Using GNOME Software

If you prefer a graphical interface, GNOME Software makes the upgrade straightforward. Navigate to the Updates screen, where you’ll see a notification about the availability of Fedora Linux 44.

1. Download the new image: Click the Download button. This operation may take some time depending on your internet speed.
2. Install the upgrade: Once the download completes, the interface will indicate that the update is ready. Click Restart & Upgrade.
3. Reboot: Your system will restart after a brief installation phase. Upon boot, you’ll be running the shiny new Fedora Linux 44 release.

It’s really that simple!

Rebasing Using the Terminal

For those who prefer command-line control, the terminal method is equally reliable. First, verify that the Fedora 44 branch is available for your architecture:

$ ostree remote refs fedora

Look for an entry like fedora:fedora/44/x86_64/silverblue in the output. If you wish to keep your current deployment as a fallback (it will remain in the GRUB menu until removed), pin it:

# 0 is the entry position from rpm-ostree status
$ sudo ostree admin pin 0

To later remove a pinned deployment, use:

# 2 is the entry position
$ sudo ostree admin pin --unpin 2

Now proceed with the rebase:

$ rpm-ostree rebase fedora:fedora/44/x86_64/silverblue

Finally, restart your computer and select the new Fedora 44 entry from the boot menu (or let it boot automatically if it’s the default).

How to Roll Back If Something Goes Wrong

Even with atomic upgrades, unforeseen issues can occur. If you cannot boot into Fedora 44 or encounter major problems, reverting is straightforward.

• At boot: Press ESC (if the GRUB menu doesn’t appear) and select the previous version (the one before Fedora 44). Your system will start in that earlier deployment.
• Make it permanent: Once booted into the old version, run the following command to roll back the default deployment:

$ rpm-ostree rollback

This sets the previous deployment as the active one, removing the failed upgrade. You can then investigate or retry the rebase later.

By following these steps, you can safely upgrade your Fedora Silverblue system to version 44 and enjoy the latest features while knowing exactly how to return if needed.